INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY

      I was hired by Indian River Community College to do “trench teaching”—preparing all levels of students to use their logic and language skills to produce coherent and unified pieces of communication . I have done that by teaching remedial  English, ENC 1101, ENC 1102,  Clast Review Reading, Introduction to Public Speaking, and various Education courses.

      In each of these areas I have had good success with my students. I am a class room teacher, and much of my time is spent working directly with students ensuring that they are able to do the type of work that makes them confident and capable program completers.

      Since the average age of a community college student is 32, I am accustomed to working with students of all ages. As a former middle and high school English teacher, I am aware of the need to keep students interested; however, at the post-secondary level, students must acquire study skills, reading techniques, and attitudes necessary to help them be successful in both the academic as well as the personal areas of their life. Adults returning to school respond well to direct instruction and practice.

      After majoring in English at Smith College, I returned to the U. of Florida to complete my Masters in English. I have been a teacher at IRCC since 1982. In fact, during the 1980's the CLAST exam became part of the initial focus on assessment and evaluation. I returned to graduate school at UCF in order to acquire more hours in Speech and Reading before enrolling in a PhD program in Curriculum and Instruction at UCF. After 5 years of driving to Orlando for classes after full days of teaching, I received my Doctorate in 2001.       

       I am proud to be an active citizen in Indian River County, and a dedicated professional educator with a strong belief in the power of education to change, people, families, and communities. I have two daughters and a son with my  husband of thirty-five years. As a life-long resident of Indian River County, I am delighted to see the Baccalaureate program become a reality so that our mission can serve the community at new levels.